2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
January 20, 2002
Reading I:
Isaiah 49:3,5-6 II:
2Cor 1:1-3
Gospel
John 1:29-34
29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.'
31I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."
32And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.
33I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
34And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
Interesting Details
- The title "Lamb of God" are mentioned only in John's gospel as John the Baptist
proclaims when he sees Jesus appoaching (Jn 1:29 and
Jn 1:36). This title may refer to:
* the pascal lamb whose blood saved the people of Israel in
the Passover (Ex
12),
* the victorious apocalyptic lamb who would destroy evils in
the world (Rv
5-7),
* Jesus is crucified on the afternoon before Passover,
this is the time when the pascal lamb are slain, or
* the suffering servant of the Lord who is led to slaughter
like a lamb and bears our sins (Is
53).
Jesus is presented as a lamb, not only to bear our sins but also to take away our sins.
- The Spirit descends and "remains" upon Jesus. The Spirit staying with Jesus
emphasizes the permanent relationship between the Father and the Son, and
between the Son and the Christian. Jesus is the permanent bearer of the Spirit.
One Main Point
LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD
John the Baptist presumably did not know Jesus, but he is the first
to bear witness and to proclaim that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who
has the power to take away the sins of the world. John testifies
as he himself sees and describes the Spirit's descending and remaining
upon Jesus.
Reflections
-
The people who went to John the Baptist on the bank of the Jordan River
might have different attitudes:
a great number came to be baptized, some by curiosity
or just to be with friends, others to question and to criticize.
By my activities in the church or in my community group,
who am I in the crowd on the bank of the Jordan River?
- Pausing the baptism, humbling himself,
directing the attention of people to the person being in
sight, John the Baptist courageously steps over his "ego" and acts under the light of the Holy Spirit; he turns himself as an instrument for the Holy Spirit.
What are the motives in my actions?
-
John the Baptist chooses the most shallow spot in the Jordan
River, where people from nations can travel or do business,
for his mission. Therefore, the crowd includes not only Israelites,
but also people from other countries, other cultures and economics.
Is my mission limited only within my own, my family's, or my group's
salvation?
Enter Reader's Response or View Reader's Response this week
A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community